The Flowers of Canada Quilt Project

The flowers of Canada began as an idea or an image of Canada as a garden.  But not just any garden.  Canada doesn't have just red roses or pink tulips.  Canada is a rainbow of colours and tones.

To see detail click here.  Use the scroll bars to view various parts.  

That idea was shared with the principal of Broadview Public School and with four volunteer parents at the school.  Together we began to prepare for our submission to the Proud to be Canadian Pledge Program.

The idea that one parent had was put into action by a handful of parents and wonderful school support.

Then the work began.  The students were chosen to draw the provincial and territorial flowers.  Over 70 students were invited to work under the guidance of volunteer parents to fabric paint the flowers.  The various pieces of fabric were cut into twelve shapes that once brought together formed a Maple Leaf.  The flowers were arranged in such a way as to be geographically similar to Canada.

The fabric flowers were appliquéd together, red bias was put inside and around the Maple Leaf and red borders were placed on each end.  Then the magic began as hundreds of students sat around the quilting frame and sewed the quilt together.

We shared our time, our love of Canada and each other.  An entire school fell in love with the project and the halls and classes were abuzz with the idea, the work and the sharing.

At the same time, The Flowers of Canada song was being prepared by parents and gifted students and a choir was formed to sing it.

Over four hundred people worked on this project parents and students of all ages.

On May 3, 1993 we unveiled our submission.  It brought tears to our eyes and smiles to our faces.

Thank you for encouraging us to do something for our country.  We at Broadview will never forget the time we drew, painted, quilted and sang for Canada.

The Parents and Students of  Broadview Avenue Public School
 To Other Ontario Schools